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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Color Psychology, My Favorite Color & How I Used Both

We've all heard how certain colors should be used in certain rooms, i.e. red for kitchens and dining rooms to stimulate appetite and conversation. I thought about this when it came time to paint our master bedroom.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Design Group

I had found a jacquard fabric I loved on eBay in a blue gray color (the seamstress who made my drapes called it a "blue grass"). I had stationery panels made for the windows and decided to paint the bedroom a dark teal and the adjoining sitting room/closet combo a light teal. I was looking for a relaxing, spa-like feel to help us leave the stress outside and be able to fall asleep.

The sitting room/closet color came out great and I was very happy with it. However, the dark teal really looked a bit aqua, which was not what I was going for at all. I actually felt unsettled in the room with this color, like I should be constantly moving or doing something. After doing some checking around I found a color that seemed to fit what I was looking for ~ Sherwin Williams' Martha Stewart paint called Milk Pail. This time I did a paint sample on the wall. I still loved it.

So began the repainting of the room. It has been about 3 years now and I am still so happy with this color that when we down-size to another house, I have told my hubby I am planning on using this color in our master bedroom there too. He likes it as well (a major plus for me). I always feel relaxed in this room now and it is very soothing and conducive to sleep. Waking up is not jarring, as the color is so soft on the eye.

Here are some "before" and "after" pictures.

The only problem is Sherwin Williams doesn't carry the Martha Stewart paint line anymore. I do have some paint left over and will most likely have to have it color matched. That's okay by me, as long as I get the relaxing, stress-free, spa-like color I've been enjoying in my current home.

I think this is a great make-over. Very subtle, soft and dreamy (conducive to GOOD dreams!) I see you eliminated the large storage piece that was around the bed. I like the look without it, but do you miss the storage?

Thank you! The great thing about that Leona is that we moved them into the closet/sitting room area. (I'll have to clean up and get a pic of that). They are on either side of hubby's dresser now and look built in and work so well with the closet. It looks like we planned it that way!

lovin' the "after" - I like the cool undertones. It really does set a wonderfully relaxed mood. Has me thinking that we could use a color change. Our walls are painted in a warm hue - but now you've got me thinking of going "cooler"

Carma ~ I usually like warmer tones too, but here where I could have done a silver-toned lamp base with white shades (or those glass ball lamps with a white shade) I went with a brushed gold lamp (shade too).

I have a couple of brown decorative pillows for the bed and a brown throw (for winter) that I toss across one of the bottom corners of the bed.

I have no headboard yet because I couldn't decide if I wanted to go with an espresso finish or light wood (which I still have the lighter wood dresser across from the bed).

So bringing in touches of brown and warmer colors helps keep the cool color from being too cool.

It's a really nice color for a bedroom or bathroom, Sarah, and I want to use it once we move too. It does have the gray in it, so I think if you could find a shade lighter than the Milk Pail, that would work great. It would also be light enough in case you don't have a window in the bathroom.

About Me

I am married for 30 years, a Mom to two adult children, and LaLa to two beautiful granddaughters. Now living in Ohio after living my whole life in New York. I love decorating, creating and repurposing. This is where I share tips, tricks, trends and a little fun.